Car-coupling



(ModeL) A. W. CLARK.

GAR COUPLING.

No. 249,898. Patented Nov. 22,1881.

WITNESSES INVENTOR Q ,MCZM/ w w I I ATTORNEYS N. PEYERS. Phoia-Lillwgmpher, Washington. D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ASHER W. CLARK, OF'MITGHELL, INDIANA.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 249,898, dated November 22, 1881-.

Application filed July 23, 1881. (Model.)

To all whom it may concern: I

Be itknown that I, ASHER W. CLARK, a citizen of the United States, resident of Mitchell, in the county of Lawrence and State ofIndiana, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Oar-Couplers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a representation of side view of my invention. Fig. 2 is an end view of one of the cars. Fig. 3 is a bottom View, and Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views.

Thisinvention has relation to improvements in automatic car-couplings; and it consists in the construction and novel arrangement of parts, hereinafter set forth, and more particularly pointed out in the claims appended.

In the annexed drawings, the letter a designates a car, and b the bottom thereof, to which is secured, near its end, a block, 0, which is formed with the opening or bearing 0, which is provided with the slots or ways 0 and c at its ends. Passing through the opening 0 is the rear extension, d, of the draw-bar (I, said extension having the longitudinal slot (1 in which are seated the tbllower-plates c c, the ends 6 e of which project through the slots 0 and 0 Between theseplates is located a spiral spring, 6

The drawbar d is provided at its forward end with the draw-head g, which is formed with a central link-mouth, g, and on one side of the same a recess, having an open top,

and designed for the attachment of the coup ling-hook h," which is pivoted therein by the transverse bolt 2'. A spring is placed on this bolt on each side of the hook h. On the other side of the link-mouth g is a similar open-top recess, 9 having the bevel f and shoulder h infrout of said bolt 1'. Through the floor of this recess is'a slot, k

Attached to the hook it is a spiral spring, 70, the upper end of which is secured to the crank orarm l of a transverse shaft, 1, pivoted to bearings on the end of the car, and havinghandles 0 0.

From the arm 1 an operating-rod, m, having a series of holes, m extends through a guide, m, to the top of the car. In this manner .means are provided for uncoupling the hook it from the top or sides of the car. The spring k is designed to force the coupling-hook into engagement with the shoulder-catch h of the opposite draw-head, and the action of the spring is rendered positiveby means of the locking-pawl a, which is pivoted in bearings at the end of the ear, and is designed to engage one of the series of holes m of the rod m. This pawl a is provided above with a handle, it, and below is pivoted to a transverse operating-slide, n which is arranged in bearings at the end ofthe car. A spring, 8, serves to hold this pawl into engagement with the rod m, and thereby the position of the couplinghook is varied to suit the necessities of the case.

The coupling-hook may be held thereby sufficiently high not to couple under any circumstances, or it may be held in proper position to couple with a high car, a low car, or a car on a level with that to which it is attached.

By looking the rod on the transverse shat'tl is firmly held, and affords a bearing for the spring k as the hook h rises on the bevel of the catch-recess of the opposite draw-head, so that the action of said spring and hook is insured.

On each side of the draw-head is placed a spring, 2, which springs hold the draw-head centrally, and yet allow the necessary play. Stops maybe used to keep the springs from pressing the draw-head too far.

Having described this invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. In a car-coupling, a springactuated coupling-hook, an uncoupling device, and a looking mechanism, whereby the hook can be held at different positions, as setforth.

2. The combination, in a car-coupling device, with the hook h, of the spring 70, the rod m, pawl 12, and spring 8, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

ASHER, W. CLARK;

Witnesses ABE. R. EWING, ANsELM WOOD. 

